Memory lane

Emilie Heinonen has woven her Finnish heritage into her Georgian house, creating a thoroughly modern home that has meaningful ties to the past

- WORDS ALICE ROBERTON | PHOTOGRAPHY TAMSYN MORGANS STYLING ALICE ROBERTON AND TAMSYN MORGANS

For interior designer Emilie Heinonen, the idea of home is never static.

Born in Helsinki, she spent her early years moving often, but her deepest sense of belonging still lies in a wooden cottage her grandparents built in Finland. 'That cottage blends effortlessly with the forest,' she says. 'It's all about harmony with nature. My current home couldn't be more different.'

Today, Emilie lives in a semidetached late-Georgian house in Bristol with her partner and their two children. The family moved back after a stint in Finland, craving city life with easy escapes to the countryside. 'London wasn't an option - it takes too long to get out,' says Emilie. 'Here, we can be in Wales or on the coastal path within an hour.'